FAQ

Who funds this site? The Koch brothers? George Soros? Both?

As of July 29, 2016, this site has received one donation for $25, earmarked to donate in turn to use for a PolitiFact crowd-sourced project. We’ve planned to publish a policy disclosing donations patterned after the one used by Annenberg Fact Check but cutting the minimum levels for disclosure in half. We haven’t rushed to complete that project because a policy for reporting donations serves little purpose when there are no donations to report. When we do make a donation option available to readers we will post the reporting policy at the same time.

I agree with Brooks Jackson of Annenberg Fact Check that such rating systems compel fact checkers to indulge in considerable judgment and approximation. They perform a disservice to readers by often oversimplifying issues of truth. I have a different approach to rating claims.

Why should I trust you when you admit to having a conservative bias?

Three reasons. First, I’m honest enough to admit I have a conservative bias and I trust the reader to reasonably take that into account when reading a fact check. Second, my approach to fact checking is highly systematic. If I follow the steps properly then the only type of bias readily apparent on this site will consist of my choosing stories of greater interest to conservatives. This site aims in part to counteract the worst work from left-leaning mainstream fact checkers. Third, I plan to establish a strong reputation for accuracy and fairness. Failure to substantially achieve either accuracy or fairness will result in a failure to achieve that goal and limit the site’s reach.

Why should I bother reading your fact checks?

Zebra Fact Check will catch things other fact checkers miss. Part of that stems from differences in ideological bias. Part of it stems from my experience independently studying philosophy and science. In addition to examining ignored aspects of fact checks and doing fact check stories other fact check services ignore, Zebra will help teach readers to ask the right questions when they see a political statement, when they see a fact check of a political statement and when they see a fact checker referencing expert opinion.

You say the truth is black and white but sometimes you don’t say whether a claim is true or false. Why is that?

First, because the research does not always provide a definitive answer. Second, because ambiguous statements have multiple potential meanings and figuring out which one was intended isn’t always possible.

But you are fallible, right?

Yes, I’m fallible. I’m also a vigorous critic of my own work and I’m willing to leave my fact checking mistakes on the public record. If I make a mistake, let me know. I’ll publicize good criticism and correct substantive mistakes on the record with a correction, clarification or update notice.